Trolling on the subject line, yes, but an actual comment/discussion point about burning and how it affects your life, and how your life affects burning. I started going in 2004, and skipped only last year. I notice that I went from wide eyed newbie, got really into a lot of peace and love, open heart kind of attitude. I cross-dressed a lot, did a lot of fun projects to share, basically just skipped around like an e-tard hugging everyone. Burning Man gave me the freedom to be whomever and whatever I wanted, and I ran around and experienced that.

9 years later, and my burns are different. I make more stuff, and am probably more deeply involved in the projects I tackle. More to the point, my burner philosophy is darker, more edgy, angrier. I still feel like I can be whatever I want, but I don't want to be a unicorn, I want to be Danzig. Wedding dresses and skirts have given way to some kind of ninja gunslinger cosplay sort of thing. Art and theme camps are driven by the idea that there isn't enough hostility on the playa anymore. I cherish the idea of some sparkle pony being coming into my camp and being dismayed at the grittiness.

I know I'm getting older (46), and grumpier, and less tolerant of the same kind of enlightened silliness I once believed in, and I'm certainly not bitter, just embracing my darker animal side.

How has your perspective, attitude, on-playa persona/fantasy changed over the years.

Grapes of Wrath? Fuck yer feathers, they will be less moopy with some tar on 'em. So fuck you.....(anna nickel goes into Simons' fund).

Dogs are the leaders of the planet. If you see two life forms, one of them’s making a poop, the other one’s carrying it for him, who would you assume is in charge? " I am a controlled substance". Savannah.